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The College of Medicine, the largest of six colleges at the University of Florida Health Science Center, opened in 1956 with a mission to increase Florida's supply of highly qualified physicians, provide advanced health-care services to Florida residents and foster discovery in health research.

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Established in 1923, the College of Pharmacy is the oldest college in the UF Health Science Center. Ranked among the top schools of pharmacy nationally, the college supports research, service and educational programs enhanced with online technologies.

The UF College of Veterinary Medicine is Florida's only veterinary college and provides many unique educational programs for students and services aimed at helping pets, wildlife and endangered species. We offer a a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Veterinary Medical Sciences.

Co-located with the Shands Jacksonville Hospital, the Jacksonville Health Science Center excels in education, research and patient care that expresses our abiding values of compassion, excellence, professionalism and innovation. Our state-of-the-art medical center serves an urban population of 1 million from north Florida to south Georgia.

The UFCOM-J offers accredited graduate medical education residency and fellowship programs, in addition to non-standard fellowship programs. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools.

The UFHSC-J is a clinical teaching site for the Gainesville-based College of Nursing. Students rotate through the various clinical settings on the campus, and primary care centers and specialty care centers located throughout Jacksonville.

The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program completed entirely in Jacksonville. Also offered on campus is an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-accredited pharmacy residency program at Shands Jacksonville.

University of Florida Health knows how important ongoing medical learning is to health care providers and the community. That is why we provide online Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for you to complete for CME credits. These courses share the latest in medical knowledge, teach new patient-relationship skills and help providers deal with relevant current issues.

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We are proud to care for patients at UF Health Shands Hospital, recently ranked one of the nation's and region's top hospitals for pulmonary care by U.S. News & World Report.

Definition

Asthma is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Normal versus asthmatic bronchiole

Alternative Names

Bronchial asthma; Wheezing - asthma - adults

Causes

Asthma is caused by swelling (inflammation) in the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the lining of the air passages swells and the muscles surrounding the airways become tight. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through the airway.

In people who have sensitive airways, asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in substances called allergens or triggers.

Common asthma triggers

Common asthma triggers include:

Animals (pet hair or dander)

Dust mites

Certain medicines (aspirin and other NSAIDS)

Changes in weather (most often cold weather)

Chemicals in the air or in food

Exercise

Mold

Pollen

Respiratory infections, such as the common cold

Strong emotions (stress)

Tobacco smoke

Substances in some workplaces can also trigger asthma symptoms, leading to occupational asthma. The most common triggers are wood dust, grain dust, animal dander, fungi, or chemicals.

Asthma Treatment Quiz

A. To cure asthmaB. To control airway swellingC. To learn about your asthma triggers so you can avoid them

The correct answer is to cure asthma. Unfortunately, there's no way to cure asthma. However, by working closely with your doctor, you can learn to manage it.

The main types of medicine for asthma are:

A. Medicines that work fast (quick-relief drugs) to ease asthma symptomsB. Medicines that work over time (control drugs) to prevent asthma attacksC. Both A and B

The correct answer is both A and B. The goals of asthma treatment are controlling airway swelling and avoiding what triggers your symptoms.

This device, used with an inhaler, helps get more medicine into the airways.

A. SpacerB. CapC. MouthpieceD. Canister

The correct answer is spacer. The spacer connects to the mouthpiece. The inhaled medicine goes into the spacer tube first. Then you take two deep breaths to get the medicine into your lungs. Using a spacer wastes less medicine than spraying the medicine into your mouth.

Sometimes younger children use a nebulizer to take their medicine. What does this machine do?

A. It turns asthma medicine into liquid children can drinkB. It turns asthma medicine into a mist children can breathe in

The correct answer is it turns asthma medicine into a mist children can breathe in. This device makes it easy and pleasant to breathe in the medicine. Small children may need to use a mask to help them inhale all the mist. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your child's treatment.

You can stop taking your control medicine when you start to feel better.

A. TrueB. False

The correct answer is false. Control drugs must be taken every day to be effective. Take your medicine even when you feel OK. You may need to take these medicines for at least a month before you start to feel better. Your doctor will work with you to find asthma medicines that are right for you.

Why should you use a peak flow meter to check how quickly you can move air out of your lungs?

A. It can tell you if an asthma attack is coming, sometimes before you have symptomsB. It is one of the best ways to control your asthmaC. It can help you keep your asthma from getting worseD. All of the above

The correct answer is all of the above. Peak flow measurements can help show when you need medicine or other action to treat your asthma. Peak flow values of 50 - 80% of your best results signal a moderate asthma attack, while values below 50% mean a severe attack.

If you use quick-relief drugs twice a week or more to control your asthma symptoms, you should:

A. Do nothingB. Tell your doctorC. Cut back to once a week

The correct answer is tell your doctor. If you need to use quick-relief drugs more than twice a week your asthma may not be under control. Your doctor may need to change your dose of daily control drugs.

Getting rid of tobacco smoke at home is the most important thing a family can do to help a child with asthma.

A. TrueB. False

The correct answer is true. Don't smoke inside or outside the home. Family members and visitors who smoke outside can carry the smoke inside on their clothes and hair. Helping children avoid asthma triggers is the first step toward helping them feel better.

Exercise can bring on asthma symptoms in some people, but you can still participate in the activities you love. Do this ahead of time:

A. Use your quick-relief drugs just before exercisingB. Drink a glass of waterC. Wear a scarf over your mouth

The correct answer is use your quick-relief drugs just before exercising. Swimming is a good sport for people with exercise-induced asthma. The warm, moist air helps keep asthma symptoms away. Football, baseball, and other sports with breaks in the action are less likely to trigger asthma symptoms.

Asthma action plans should include:

A. A plan for taking asthma medicines when your condition is stableB. A list of asthma triggers and how to avoid themC. How to tell when your asthma gets worse, and when to call your doctor or nurseD. All of the above

The correct answer is all of the above. An asthma action plan is an important part of treatment for anyone with asthma. If you don't already have one, talk with your doctor about creating a personal asthma action plan.

Which of these asthma symptoms is an emergency?

A. Bluish lips and faceB. Severe drowsiness or confusion during an asthma attackC. Extreme difficulty breathingD. Rapid pulseE. Severe anxiety caused by shortness of breathF. All of the above

The correct answer is all of the above. Asthma attacks can be dangerous if a person's airways become severely blocked. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1. This might include oxygen, breathing assistance, and medicines given through a vein (IV).

People with asthma can lead normal, active lives.

A. TrueB. False

The correct answer is true. Asthma can be scary, but it doesn't have to control you. By getting the right medical treatment, working closely with your doctor, and avoiding your asthma triggers, you can manage your condition and enjoy a full life.

Symptoms

Most people with asthma have attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some people have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Either wheezing or a cough may be the main symptom.

Asthma attacks can last for minutes to days. Attacks can become dangerous if airflow is severely blocked.

These are also called maintenance or control medicines. They are used to prevent symptoms in people with moderate to severe asthma. You must take them every day for them to work. Take them even when you feel OK.

Some long-term medicines are breathed in (inhaled), such as steroids and long-acting beta-agonists. Others are taken by mouth (orally). Your doctor will prescribe the right medicine for you.

Keep humidity levels low and fix leaks to reduce the growth of organisms such as mold.

Keep the house clean and keep food in containers and out of bedrooms. This helps reduce the possibility of cockroaches. Body parts and droppings from cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks in some people.

If someone is allergic to an animal that cannot be removed from the home, the animal should be kept out of the bedroom. Place filtering material over the heating outlets to trap animal dander. Change the filter in furnaces and air conditioners often.

Eliminate tobacco smoke from the home. This is the single most important thing a family can do to help someone with asthma. Smoking outside the house is not enough. Family members and visitors who smoke outside carry smoke residue inside on their clothes and hair. This can trigger asthma symptoms. If you smoke, now is a good time to quit.

Avoid air pollution, industrial dust, and irritating fumes as much as possible.